4 filters

[Wayne]

If you could only afford 3-4 gel filters (for outdoor B&W ruinscapes, landscapes , closeups & occasional portraits), which filters would they be?

[bob moulton]

A # 15 orange, a # 25 red, A #12 Yellow, a # 8 yellow. If I can add one more it would be a polarizer. If not I would delete the # 8 yellow.

I would use gel filters in the calumet cardboard frames and the kalt holder. Bob

[David Karp]

Wayne,

A good set for black and white would be a yellow #8, a dark yellow to orange such as a yellow #15 or a little stronger, a yellow-green, and a red #25. Some people use the yellow-green with black and white film for portraits. I think that this set would cover most of your needs. It will be interesting to read what others suggest.

[William Marderness]

#9, #11, #23A, #44A.

[Wayne]

I have what appears to be a filter holder of some type from a process camera lens shade. It will attach to most of my lenses with 3 plastic tipped screws. It has two tracks on the outside, where the 3 inch process camera filters went, I presume, and I just need to glue a ridge of something along the bottom edge to keep the filters in (because the bottom part that the filters must have rested on was part of the shade, which I removed). Since I'm on a budget I'm gonna try this, and I think it should work fine. I've checked and cant see it through the gg corners with my widest lens.

[N Dhananjay]

I think the decision re what filters depends upon your subjects. If its typical landscapes, you MIGHT want to stay in the yellow-red region since the typical landscape filtration is to render normal skies. However, in many ways, I think a combination of a yellow (12 or 15), deep red (25), green (47) and blue (58) is hard to beat. The tri-color filters are great ways to control local contrast, which I think is what filters should be used for. The three filters would allow you to tackle most local contrast issues - they also have the same factor (if memory serves me right). The 15 yellow would be good for typical landscape kinds of application. Like I said, depends on the subjects you like shooting, but given the kinds of subjects you have indicated above, the tri-color set might be worth considering. Cheers, DJ.

[Wayne]

I do very few typical landscapes, maybe a rare one with sky, but more likely fog. I rarely photograph green vegetation (but maybe I will more, with filters). Mostly closeups, abstracts, rocks, metal, alleys, ruins, junk, wood is what I do. And I want to do more natural light portraits. I dont need filters for most of this. But I'd like to do some clouds, which is what got me thinking filters. Since I knew I'd want something to darken the sky, I figured I might as well order whatever else might come in handy someday, but keep it to a bare minimum since I've gotten by shooting occasional B&W for years without any filters at all

[Chad Jarvis]

Four filters...wasn't that a Led Zeppelin song on IV? The Lee black and white set of four inch gels sounds perfect for you. It's cheap and contains numbers 8, 11, 21 and 23A. Like Bob said, I would add a polarizer.

[Jeff Scott]

I find the #8 yellow to be too weak to really be useful. I would start with a #12 yellow as the minimum, then add #15 deep yellow and #25 red filters so this way you get a good range with the least number of filters and the fouth would be a #13 green to enhance foliage when needed.

[Ellis Vener]

if you can only afford 4 gelatin filters do yourself a favor and just start with 2 high quality optical resin filters (Sinar, Lee or Hitech, not Cokin). A number 12 yellow and a # 25 red. You will quickly find how easily damaged gel filters are. They are basically disposable items for all but the most occasional photographer. better yet if you can find a set of Series IX glass filters that will be an even better investment.